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Hahnville's Ken Oertling is Louisiana's high school principal of the year

Ken Oertling

Ken Oertling, principal of Hahnville High School, has been named Louisiana's High School Principal of the Year. He received this honor for after being selected a state finalist for exceptional contributions and dedication to education in St. Charles Parish.
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He sets a good example and is a man of high character and high expectations for students and teachers in all aspects. Ellen Orr

Former Navy veteran and current Hahnville High School principal Ken Oertling was recently recognized as the 2014 Louisiana High School Principal of the Year. This prestigious award was a culmination of parents, students, and fellow educators recognizing the effectiveness of Oertling's philosophy that a team is only as strong as the individual members allow.

Teacher Stephanie O'Rourke said that Oertling expects all team members at HHS to continually improve by practicing effective teaching methods that adhere to every student to ensure their success.

"He is always checking in on teachers and readily gives advice on how to improve after every observation," O'Rourke said.

Since becoming principal, Oertling has addressed at-risk learners by increasing the intervention program and also utilizing pre- and post-tests to gauge the improvement of students throughout the school year and project future focuses tailored to student needs. For example, Oertling put a spotlight on literacy, which was shown to be a weak point at HHS. To increase these ratings, literacy was incorporated across the curriculum. Oertling requires that every class contribute to the increase of literacy rates among the students through Assertion, Evidence, Commentary, and Reflection paragraphs that are analyzed each quarter for possible points of improvement.

Oertling also gives students room to grow through the addition of multiple Advanced Placement classes at HHS that allow for the opportunity to attain college credit.

Oertling said he is also aware that not every student is college bound, so sees to it that the school offers a wide range of courses such as welding and AC classes that pertain to those who plan to immediately join the workforce after graduation.

Calling on his naval experience that "being on a submarine is only as safe as the people next to you," Oertling said he ensures that the right people are in place to aid students in their endeavors.

It appears Oertling has the right idea with this approach since HHS received the status of a state department ranked "A" school despite recent changes associated with Common Core requirements. He attributes this to the district's guidance, community support, and training opportunities. He also credits the St. Charles Parish School Board with having a plan for the gradual implementation of Common Core before it became state mandated.

Oertling said Common Core is a benefit to the school, citing the rigorous expectation with lifting students' achievement.

Senior Mason Dolese said, "[Oertling] takes a lot of pride in his school and his job."

When asked what does being a principal mean, Oertling said, "Everything." It is his belief that all 1,500 students at HHS are his own children, he said, which puts the students' learning and advancement into a different perspective, as being a principal allows for direct impact on students' lives.

Teacher Ellen Orr said, "He sets a good example and is a man of high character and high expectations for students and teachers in all aspects."

Oertling said he loves to walk into classes and see the success and engagement of the students as well as the growth from freshman to senior year; from dependent children to independent adults ready to take on the world.

To Oertling, HHS is a family, and he encourages the presence of staff and administration at extracurricular activities. Oertling said it is important for students to see their worth through another's eyes.

Oertling's immediate family is also a familiar presence at school events. His motivation behind making HHS extracurricular activities a family outing is that, though he loves being a principal, it is very taxing on his own family. He uses extracurricular activities to allow his family to be involved in every aspect of his life through the merging of his two families.

Teacher Carrie Sirmon said, "What sets Mr. Oertling apart is his willingness to listen to his teachers and students. He's always very busy, but he's never too busy to listen to us."